Technology
One of the most frequently encountered images in “The Shallows” are descriptions of technology. Narratives of technology run the gamut from the development of written language to the creation of ultra sophisticated A.I. programs and everything else in between. These forms of technology have become ubiquitous to human life and have changed it in ways that few could have predicted. Technology is also a major theme and a lifestyle item that the author persuades the reading audience to reconsider with more caution.
History
History, particularly the history of both technological developments and its impact upon society, are regularly cited in the book as well. The author wishes to illustrate that human history and technology develop parallel to one another. Not only does it develop parallel to each other but with every new era of humanity that rises up there is a technological marvel that was birthed alongside it that would be necessary to usher it into the next phase of human development and vice-versa as sometimes it is the technological development that allows for a human society to flourish and become a major force in history.
Medical Science
In similar fashion to technology, medical science, encompassing multiple disciplines from psychology to neurobiology, is also a recurring image in the novel. This is understandable as medical science often develops parallel with the technology that emerges with every era. Every developmental milestone in technology also allows medical science to expand and grow; hence, more is learned about human physiology with every new machine that makes it out of the assembly line.
Education
Education and learning share the spotlight with technology, history, and medical science in the broad narrative of the book. Since caution is a major theme in the narrative education is the primary vector for it. Educators, scientists, and philosophers all give their two cents worth about carefully evaluating emerging forms of technology by seeing the effects it has on people, culture, and commerce. Many of these educators and scientists from various eras all agree that with every new form of technology, especially if it has the capacity to transmit data, is worth carefully evaluating and reevaluating over time as technology has the capacity to impact humanity in profound ways.
Economics/Finance
Economics and finance are frequently discussed and mentions of it are interspersed throughout the narrative because it is often either the biggest beneficiary or victim of many forms of emergent technologies. Wealth is often directly proportional to the amount of technology that can be accessed by the people, especially if that technology allows for ease of the transfer of information and the overall speed and efficiency of the transportation of goods and services. Parallel to narratives of the effects of technology on economics are narratives describing the development of systems of quality and efficiency in running businesses and production. These systems will eventually give rise to business titans that would change the business landscape in radical new ways—but not always for the better.
